The Word of God has been proclaimed and the sacraments administered continuously in the Lutheran tradition since 1861 at Saint Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Smyrna. We give thanks to God for the dedication of the saints and sinners who have dedicated their lives to the faith and community of the congregation. We pray the faith and love of God that guided and sustained them will inspire us through the Holy Spirit to move us faithfully into the future. Solo Deo Gloria – To God alone be the glory.
German settlers, in 1861, desiring to worship God in the Lutheran tradition erected a log church with the name St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Twenty-one men chartered the congregation. A number of years later, the present site was chosen and the current larger brick church was built.
The church has undergone physical changes. The building once housed the parsonage; however, in 1923 the congregation began sharing a pastor with Bethany Lutheran Church of Batesville, and since that time other rooms in the church have served for Sunday school classes and meetings. A steeple was built in 1915 and vestibule in 1938. A freestanding pulpit was installed in 1920 to replace a high pulpit, and the first furnace was installed in 1932 and a lighted brick sign in 1981 and has been updated again 2012. The pews were refurbished in 1984.
The Smyrna congregation of 1919 in front of the church
Our stoic German ancestors had some particular notions about proper church conduct. For many years it was customary to see Sunday morning worshippers as men being seated on one side of the church and women and children on the opposing side. It was not until the early 1900s that instruction was given in English.
Christian fellowship has always been significant to members. For years the Annual Smyrna Picnic held at Lange’s Grove – the woods directly south of the church – was a merry affair. Lanterns were hung on wire stretched between the trees to provide light. Wooden platforms were set on the ground for dancing and food including chicken dinners and ice cream was served from the enclosed shelter. Entertainment went on into the evening when the platforms were reassembled into a converted bowling alley!
In 1946, the church united with St. Paul – Crossroads and was served by the same pastor until 1980. The parish than began participating in the seminary internship program from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
Since the church’s founding in 1861 the church has continually worshipped the living God and administered the sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion in the Lutheran tradition.
